Welcome to Achill Oral Histories

A warm welcome to Achill oral Histories. Our mission is to preserve accounts of everyday life by recording the life histories of the Achill people past and present.

 

We all have a story to tell. Yet we often overlook the vital role our own  memories play in shaping representations of  our country's people and their experiences.  Indeed, many published accounts of make no reference to those who have actually witnessed those events.  Achill Oral Histories will bridge this gap in knowledge. Preserved through high quality digital recording and word for word transcripts,  events of the past as recounted by the people of Achill will be available for current and future generations. Hear our oral history interviews to date. 

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Our first Achill Commemorative Calendar 

Be part of history in the making in Achill. Here at Achill Oral Histories, we've created our first commemorative calendar to mark important dates which help tell the story of our beloved Achill Island. Please do contact us with  details of events and people associated with Achill which you would like to be commemorated  by emailing  info@achilloralhistories.com

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Unless recorded, memories of everyday life will be lost forever. Achill Oral Histories is therefore committed to producing the definitive oral history of the Achill people through the systematic and comprehensive recording and archiving of everyday life on Achill.  During the period 2018 - 2028 the life histories of the people of Achill will be systematically recorded then made available as a public web based archive. The archive is used by anyone with an interest in Achill Island. Our  interviewing schedule 2018 - 2028 by theme is available here. Achill Oral Histories is based at Ashleam National School.

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Oral History Is A People's History

 

Before the advent of ink and printed materials, memories of everyday life were passed on from generation to generation using the spoken word. Many such stories exist on Achill. Each day, we begin  a new chapter in our own life histories. The recounting of our personal memories is something which has endured the test of time - and this is oral history. Oral history is history as recollected from the 'bottom up', recalled by those who have actually witnessed events as they unfold. As renowned oral historian Don Ritchie states in his seminal work 'Doing Oral History', "oral history collects memories and personal commentaries of historical significance through recorded interviews."  So become part of history in the making in  Achill.

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We'd love to hear from all Achill residents - all age groups and all household types. So do get in touch info@achilloralhistories.com Ensure your memories are recorded both now and for future generations. To get involved, click here. 

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Preserve Achill's history. Now and forever.

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© 2022 Achill Oral Histories. All rights reserved. Material from this web site may not be reproduced and/or used for material gain without written permission from Achill Oral Histories. 

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Achill Oral Histories Ashleam National School Ashleam Achill Island Co Mayo Ireland F28 DY03

For further information email us at info@achilloralhistories.com